Our programs

Gender equity in local government

The gender equity program will ensure a greater mix of insights and experiences shape local policy

Best practice for gender equity in local government

Local Government Victoria has developed a best practice guide and supporting research companion, for promoting gender equity in local government – with support from the Ministerial Women’s Roundtable, the local government sector and the Office of Prevention and Women's Equality.

The guide seeks to support both councillors and senior council managers through provision of practical guidance, case studies and resource materials. These resources will help local governments take practical steps to boost gender diversity in their councils and workforces by offering useful information and helpful suggestions.

While more than half of the administrative workforce in the local government sector is female, less than half of the directors and managers are women. Only one in six chief executive officers of councils are women.

As the level of government closest to communities, it’s important that local governments reflect the makeup of the communities they serve including women, young people, people with disabilities and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Implementing gender equity strategies makes it easier for councils to tap into new pools of talent for elected officials and staff, bolster professional development, and retain female staff and councillors. Improving the diversity of elected representatives at the ‘third tier of government’ can also help restore any lost trust in and engagement with grassroots democracy.

The guide delivers on a key action under the Ministerial Statement on local government to strengthen local support for social inclusion.

The guide also supports the Victorian Government’s Gender Equality Strategy Safe and Strong. This strategy aims to progressively build the attitudinal and behavioural changes required to reduce violence against women and deliver gender equality.

Research companion

Listen, learn and lead gender equity program

Local Government Victoria developed a local government listen, learn and lead gender equity program in consultation with members of the Ministerial Women’s Roundtable.

The local government listen, learn and lead gender equity program for councils is modelled on the successful champions of change program. It includes the themes of stepping up as leaders, creating accountability, disrupting the status quo, and dismantling barriers to greater gender equity.

The 13-week program supported councils in advancing gender equity and diversity in their organisation by facilitating rich discussions between chief executive officers and council staff about gender equity. The aim of the program was to identify and implement strategies and actions to improve outcomes for women in leadership positions in council by:

encouraging a deeper level of insight into the barriers to gender equality that need to be tackled within council organisations

informing the development or enhancement of council’s gender equity actions

sharing insights and identifying opportunities for sector-wide action where combining efforts will lead to greater impact

Findings and evaluation report

The findings and evaluation report documents the themes identified by participating council staff as being the significant challenges to improving gender equity in their workplace. Opportunities for improvement of the program were also documented.

Local Government Victoria is seeking feedback from participating Chief Executive Officers and Listen, Learn and Lead Coordinators about the Local Government Listen, Learn and Lead Gender Equity Program, its processes and supporting materials.

The Local Government Listen, Learn and Lead Gender Equity Program Webinar outlines the objectives, key steps and recommended timelines of the program. The step-by-step webinar provides information about each step of the Listen, Learn and Lead process that will guide councils in implementing the program in their organisation.

We acknowledge and respect Victorian Traditional Owners as the original custodians of Victoria’s land and waters,
their unique ability to care for Country and deep spiritual connection to it. We honour Elders past and present whose
knowledge and wisdom has ensured the continuation of culture and traditional practices.

We are committed to genuinely partner, and meaningfully engage, with Victoria's Traditional Owners and Aboriginal communities to support the protection of Country, the maintenance of spiritual and cultural practices and their broader aspirations in the 21st century and beyond.